(WSUToday) — Earlier this week, President Barack Obama announced $3.4 billion in grants to improve the efficiency of the electric power grid through Smart Grid technology. A group of WSU researchers in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science are taking a leading role in developing new communication and control paradigms that will make the smart electric power grid a reality.

Amid the government-funded rush to upgrade America’s aging electric system to a smart grid comes a strange confluence of press releases this week by the White House and the University of Illinois.

Tuesday morning, President Obama, speaking at Florida Power and Light (FPL) facilities, announced $3.4 billion in grants to utility companies, municipal districts and manufacturers to spur a nationwide transition to smart-grid technologies and fund other energy-saving initiatives as part of the economic stimulus package.

FPL will receive $200 million to install 2.6 million smart meters and other technologies that promise to reduce energy costs for customers. CenterPoint Energy in Houston, Texas, gets $200 million to install 2.2 million smart meters (.pdf) and more than 550 sensors and automated switches. Baltimore Gas and Electric in Maryland is another $200-million recipient.

Below are some highlights from the 2009 EECS Student Forum, held at the CUB Jr. Ballroom.  The students who attended were informed about EECS news while enjoying a free meal.  Dr. Shirazi gave an update on the state of the school, professors gave an overview of each discipline, and student clubs and organizations gave a short description of their group. 

There were also prizes.  First place winner was Theodore Storms, who won a 16 GB Ipod Nano.  Second place winner was Michael Turi who won an 8 GB Ipod Nano. And third place winner was Yiming Chen who won an 8GB Zune digital media player.

Faculty, staff and students had a great time, eating, relaxing, networking, and getting to know more about what the School of EECS has to offer.